Metro Awakening might be one of the best PSVR2 games to be released in 2024. The game leverages VR technology on the PlayStation 5 console, delivering the most solid title since the peripheral’s release. This game is a big departure for Vertigo Games, the developer best known for the Arizona Sunshine series.
While Arizona Sunshine’s chaotic, visceral, zombie-busting, fanciful action is a natural fit for the VR format, the Metro series requires a different approach. It thrives on stealth, resource scarcity, and an atmosphere of fear. While we were initially skeptical that Vertigo would be able to faithfully adapt these elements to VR, Metro Awakening exceeds expectations and provides the best gaming experience available on PSVR2.
Familiar story and environment
The story is cleverly set several years before the events of the mainline Metro series, and Metro Awakening casts players as Serdar, a survivor navigating the treacherous confines of Russia’s subway system. Serdar lives in a small, troubled community, plagued by the dire health of his wife Jana, who is plagued by auditory hallucinations of her deceased son. With a pistol at your side and a gas mask as your lifeline, you venture into a dangerous and decaying underworld in search of medicine and survival.
Vertigo Games perfectly captured the essence of the Metro series from the beginning. The setting exudes an austere and enchanting authenticity, with makeshift shelters illuminated by the amber glow of barrel fires. Exploring the subway reveals harrowing scenes, from a concentration camp strewn with skeletal remains to a mutant lair pulsing with radioactive bacteria. The visuals may not match the fidelity of Horizon Call of the Mountain, but Metro Awakening makes up for this with its clever use of lighting and atmosphere.
The green glow of mushrooms, flashing light bulbs, and the harsh glow of flashlights remind you of the gritty, oppressive world of Metro, keeping you hooked as you sneak past monstrous creatures and hostile survivors.
Understand the mechanism correctly
The game’s innovative VR mechanics further enhance this immersive atmosphere. Simple yet memorable actions, such as wiping the condensation off the visor of a gas mask or using a lighter to burn away cobwebs, greatly contribute to the sense of realism. These haptic interactions shine during tense moments, such as when you traverse a spider-infested area while inspecting your surroundings, only to have a spider jump on your face. The sensation of your feet, amplified by the headset’s tactile sensation, travels through the back of your head, creating an immersive feeling unique to VR.
Although the game’s weapons are limited, they are enhanced by Arizona Sunshine 2’s sophisticated shooting mechanics and are fun to use. Reloading weapons feels instinctive, and actions like manually loading a shotgun with shells and changing magazines feel natural. PSVR2’s Sense controller haptics add a distinct sense of power to each shot. Improvements over previous titles include holding the weapon closer to the barrel, allowing for more dynamic interaction with your off-hand, such as firing a secondary weapon or managing your inventory.
feel the experience
Intuitive controls increase immersion as almost all actions take place within the game world. Press the controller to your head to turn on the flashlight, sling the rifle over your shoulder, and pull the backpack from your back. Inspecting ammunition still requires physically inspecting the magazine or partially withdrawing the chamber. Minor typos may occur, such as grabbing the wrong item, but they rarely disrupt the experience. This is the best I’ve ever felt immersed in a VR game without it feeling gimmicky.
Stealth and combat are equally engaging, and the lack of ammunition adds to the tension. Collecting bolts from fallen enemies and magazines from discarded weapons adds a physical layer to resource management. From throwing bottles to distract enemies to turning off your flashlight to avoid detection, the stealth mechanics are thoroughly satisfying. Combat, on the other hand, is exhilarating, whether it’s landing precise headshots or desperately picking up weapons that fall during combat.
The campaign is full of heart-pounding moments thanks to a great blend of mechanics, atmospheric lighting, and eerie music. However, while the story starts off with interesting characters and impressive motion capture for a VR title, it loses a bit of momentum in favor of the supernatural elements that are a staple of the Metro series.
While mechanically fresh, these moments lack the involvement of more grounded encounters with bandits and mutants. Additionally, the lack of variety in setting and somewhat underwhelming emotional conclusion detracts from the overall experience slightly.
Technically, Metro Awakening runs almost perfectly on PSVR2, but it’s not without some minor issues. Crashes while loading the screen and brief frame rate drops occurred sporadically, but often enough to avoid significantly impacting the game.
final thoughts
Metro Awakening is a triumph for Vertigo Games, seamlessly translating the signature qualities of the Metro series into the VR format and introducing many of the immersive mechanics unique to the medium.
Despite some minor narrative and technical shortcomings, the game’s captivating visuals, atmospheric depth, and meticulously crafted gameplay make it one of the most engaging VR experiences to date. I am. Vertigo Games has delivered an unforgettable adventure that not only honors the legacy of the Metro series, but also elevates it, and is a testament to the potential of virtual reality gaming.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlight: The most immersive PSVR2 game ever, a familiar IP with a great story
Cons: Game crashes can ruin the experience
Developer: Vertigo Games
Publisher: Vertigo Games and Deep Silver
Platform: PSVR2, Metaquest, Steam VR, Vive port
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 with PSVR2 using a release code provided by the publisher.
